NYU began play in 1873, making it one of the first football teams established in the United States (following Princeton, Rutgers, Columbia, Yale, and Stevens).
[2][3][4] Additionally, the current governing body for collegiate sports, the NCAA, was formed as the direct result of a meeting convened in New York City by NYU Chancellor Henry MacCracken in December 1905 to improve the safety of football.
In 1939, head coach Mal Stevens led NYU to a 5–1 start and the program's only appearance in the AP Poll, before fading to a 5–4 final record.
Additionally, the model for the Heisman Trophy is based on 1930s NYU football star Ed Smith.
[9][better source needed] NYU used several locations for home games over their team's history, all within New York City.